For him, working in the vineyard has always been a natural part of his annual routine. Since taking over the business in 2011, he has been selling white, red and sweet wines under the name "Jonny Wegleitner". His products are not only appreciated in Austria but also internationally. His wines find buyers in countries such as Japan, Taiwan, Sweden, Holland and Germany, while in Austria he sells mainly in the West.

In addition to his work as a winemaker, Johannes Wegleitner is a full-time teacher. After a period in tourism, he began studying information and office management in 2004 and now teaches at the HAK Frauenkirchen. During a Business Day at his school, he became aware of a marketing degree programme specifically geared towards the wine industry. As he had always wanted to broaden his horizons and complete a Master's degree, he decided to study for a Master's degree in International Wine Marketing at the Burgenland University of Applied Sciences while working.

He considers the programme to be a great enrichment, both for his business and for his teaching activities. He particularly appreciates the practical content and the many insights into the wine industry.

In terms of content, the winemaker benefits above all from a better understanding of marketing strategy, particularly in the area of social media. "I want to find out which measures really make sense and which don't. The lecturers, who are experts from the field, provide valuable insights that I can implement directly."

Although he is unable to take part in all the excursions due to his work commitments, the monthly attendance dates at the university are easy for him to organise. He finds it remarkable that he gains new perspectives through his studies, which not only help him in viticulture, but also in the classroom. He now understands the challenges of his students better and can approach them with new perspectives.

Photo (c)Johannes Wegleitner